The recent resignation of another American congressman, Rep. Mark Foley, over his sexually explicit internet messages to young male pages, has made U.S. voters more cynical of its congressional candidates. Beginning with Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham's tearful resignation, another year of corruption and scandals, both sexual and financial, has plagued the U.S. Congress.

Some members of the nation's political leadership have set terrible examples of integrity. Instead of pursuing what's best for the country gifts, paybacks and bribes too often have been the deciding factors in the way votes have gone. There is growing disappointment and distrust of congressional leaders. A recent NBC poll put congress's approval rating at only 16% (NBC Nightly News, October 18, 2006).

Political corruption is not restricted to the America. It is a worldwide problem. Brutal and corrupt dictators have bled much of the continent of Africa of its resources. At this moment a horrible genocide continues in the Sudan that the world seems powerless to stop. There is no way to measure the terrible suffering that cruel, corrupt despots have brought on humanity down through history.

The black gold of several Arab countries has mostly benefited only a few powerful families. In his quest for power and wealth Saddam Hussein killed and estimated 2 million of his own people.

Asian countries have fared no better. The citizens of North Korea live in near starvation because of the policies of their ruler, President Kim Jong II. In July of this year, Ta Mok, one of the main leaders of Cambodia's brutal Khmer Rouge, died while awaiting trial for his part in the slaughter of several million under the direction of Pol Pot. The Hollywood movie "Killing Fields" depicts the horrors enacted upon those people in the 1970s.

The number of countries that have suffered at the hands of cruel and corrupt tyrants is growing. "Corruption is on the increase in a majority of countries around the world, according to a study by the global pressure group: Transparency International" (BBC, December 9, 2005, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4514112.stm). In its 2004 Global Corruption report, Transparency International (TI) listed the Ten Most Corrupt Leaders.

Former President Suharto of Indonesia tops the list of the "World's Ten Most Corrupt Leaders" (Infoplease.com/ipa/A0921295.html). " Suharto's alleged haul of $15-$35 billion in 31 years of rule, TI said, demonstrated how abuse of power undermines the hopes... of developing countries. Close behind is Zaire's Mobutu Sese Seko, who allegedly looted $5 billion. His haul, said TI, was particularly high in a country with an average GDP of just $100 a person. It amounted to 40% of the $12 billion in aid Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, received during his 32-year rule" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3567745.stm).

The TI Global Corruption Barometer 2005 shows that the poor are the most affected. Often in order to get anything done or even to travel, they have to bribe petty officials. People in Africa appeared to pay the most in bribes, the report found, with Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria the worst. Households in these three countries spend more than 20% of their income on paying bribes, the survey found.

A change is coming! The prophet Ezekiel speaks of God's anger against the leaders who are interested only in empowering and enriching themselves (Ezekiel 34:9-28). He promises to send Jesus Christ to intervene in the near future to remove them from their positions of power and replace them with righteous rulers who care for the welfare of the people. "I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says the LORD (Jeremiah 23:4).

God plans to permanently resolve the world's leadership crisis and its impact on all humanity. "He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, and will break in pieces the oppressor ... He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and ... to the ends of the earth ... Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him. For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and him who has no helper. He will spare the poor and needy, and will save the souls of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; and precious shall be their blood in His sight" (Psalm 72:4, 8, 11-14).

The identity of the future leaders who will assist Jesus Christ in eliminating corruption from the whole world will pleasantly surprise you. Learn for yourself the exciting prophecies of how the coming Kingdom of God will end human oppression. Just request or download our free booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom.